Vulnerability: A Strength or Weakness

May 25, 2022
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Virtual Session
Dates OfferedTimeLocationTarget Audience
May 25, 20229:30 – 11:00 a.m.Virtual Classroom via ZoomAll WashU Managers (with at least one staff direct report)

Webster’s Universal College Dictionary defines the word “vulnerable” in five ways. We will list three:

1. Capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt physically or emotionally.
2. Susceptible to temptation or corrupt influence.
3. Open to or defenseless against criticism or moral attack.

These definitions use the words, capable of, susceptible to, defenseless against. These words suggest being vulnerable is a weakness, a disadvantage.

We offer that being vulnerable is daring greatly with a strength called courage. Courage is a leadership competency, an internal honor code. Courageous vulnerability enables us to speak up, stand up and lead upward to those in authority and permission for others to do likewise. Winston Churchill says, “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.”

We will offer practice strategies for increasing the strength to be vulnerable called courage.

Guest Facilitator: Edith Varley

Edie Varley is a speaker, advisor, educator and the founder of The Varley Group where she drives an outcome-based mission to transform human potential into constructive contribution. In her practice, she uses systems thinking initiatives to identify needs and establish outcome-based objectives. Her work has benefited individuals and corporations – from privately held to Fortune 500 alike.

Prior to founding The Varley Group in 2000, she served for 25 years in the business of chemical manufacturing where she started in sales and ultimately led the company as CEO and owner. During her tenure, Edie helped people find the meaning in their work and the value in their contribution and as CEO led the company to double-digit net operating profit.

Edie earned her undergraduate degree and MBA (OLIN) from Washington University.

An important note: Our goal in Learning and Development is to create the same level of rich engagement in our virtual classroom as we do in our in-person classes. Therefore, the day of the session:

  • Ensure you’re in an environment that will allow you to participate fully! This will be an interactive session and your contribution is important.
  • Turn off your email and phone notifications to avoid distractions.
  • Be camera ready! Participants are expected to have their cameras on during the entire session.
  • Have a pen and paper ready.
  • Log in early to the session through the Zoom link.

Once registered in Learn@Work, you will receive a Zoom invitation for the date/time selected; instructions will be included in the invitation.

Questions:
Contact Monica Robinson

All programs are subject to change.

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